Romania’s centuries-old 'dancing bear festival' lives on in the country’s northeast, as hundreds of bear-costumed people wish locals good luck and a happy new year
Residents in Romania are happy that the tradition has lived on since many people left the region in the 1990s looking for jobs in Western Europe after the fall of Communism.
Hundreds of bear-costumed people of all ages roam villages and towns while dancing to the deafening sound of drums. The festival has done wonders for local tourism but has triggered criticism from animal rights groups over the use of real bear skins. The festival highlight falls on December 30, when hundreds of bear-clad people — some 30 bands from all over the region — descend on the regional centre of Comanesti for the finale of the street festivities.The festival highlight falls on December 30, when hundreds of bear-clad people — some 30 bands from all over the region — descend on the regional centre of Comanesti for the finale of the street festivities.
Some of the "bears" jokingly growl or mock an attack on onlookers. More festival-goers, wearing glittering drummers' costumes or tweaked Communist-era military outfits, also routinely join in.
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